Blog

When judges set bail amounts, they’re supposed to pick a number based on a few factors: the seriousness of the crime, the chance that you’d try to run away, and your ability to pay. For some people, the bail amount is low enough or they have friends and family who can pay the bail using nothing but cash. There is nothing wrong with that, especially since you get the bail money back after the trial, right? Unfortunately, cash can have a few downsides compared to a secured bail bond.
Representation
If you can’t afford a defense lawyer, the court will assign you a public defender. However...

Paying bail to get someone out of jail to await trial is still the first and most common system in the USA, with the surprising exception of New Jersey. But for many people that don’t have a lot of experience with the legal system, especially if criminal charges are introduced, bail and the concept of bail money can be a confusing thing. A lot of people are concerned about paying bail and what happens after that. After all, bail can be a lot of money, so is it possible to get it back? The answer to that depends on what happens to the person being charged.
What Is Bail?
When someone is...

One of the most difficult aspects of planning a divorce, or putting the pieces back together after a breakup, is what will happen with the children. The distinctions between the types of custody can be extremely important in determining your future with your children. The following information explains the different types of custody and their implications.
Physical custody
Physical custody means that the parent has the right to have the child live with him or her. There are two types of physical custody: joint, meaning that the child can stay with both the mother and the father for...

When you've been arrested, especially if the arrest is unexpected, you can be confused about your legal rights. It's important to be informed about what you have the right to say, do, and refuse to consent to while you're being held in police custody. The following information describes the circumstances under which you can legally be arrested, what you should do both immediately after you're arrested and while you're in custody, and your legal rights after an arrest.
Under what circumstances can I be arrested?
If a police officer personally witnesses you committing a misdemeanor, he or she...

Most of the time, bail is paid in cash, but in certain circumstances, you can use property to bail an individual out of jail instead. Property bonds can be useful if cash isn't available for bail. Since a bail bond agency still charges 10% of the premium payment, individuals who are low on cash may not be able to pay even that amount. In this case, a property bond can be useful.
Using a property bond essentially means that the bond is guaranteed by a pledge of unencumbered equity in real estate in the same state. Equity of at least 1.5-2 times the bail amount is generally required. This can...

Identity theft is a serious crime that can wreak havoc on your entire life. Having your identity stolen can ruin your finances and your credit score. The process of recovering from a breach, even if you catch it quickly, can be incredibly time-consuming and costly. It's far better to prevent a breach from ever occurring. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your information, and your identity, private. Here are 10 easy ways to safeguard your identity:
Secure your mail. Empty your mailbox every day if you can. Stealing your mail is one of the easiest ways a criminal can access your...

What is a walk-through?
In a walk-through bond, a person who knows that there’s a warrant for his or her arrest can arrange for a bond before actually being arrested. With the bond approved, the person then essentially turns him- or herself in. One benefit of a walk-through is that the person controls the circumstances of the arrest, preventing the embarrassment of being arrested in front of family, friends, or coworkers. A walk-through also expedites the process of getting the bond completed, and it means the person won’t have to spend time in jail. The person is still technically arrested,...

Cyberstalking, in simple terms, is stalking that takes place online. It has been defined as the use of technology, almost always over the internet, to harass someone using monitoring, threats, identity theft, defamation, data destruction, and/or manipulation. A cyberstalker may use social media, email, instant messages, text messages, and other forms of communication to stalk his or her target. Cyberstalking can take the form of sexual harassment, inappropriate contact, or simply demonstrating an advanced knowledge of the victim.
Cyberstalking differs from cyberharassment, which typically...

When a person is arrested or convicted of a crime in Colorado, the offense goes on the person's permanent record. Permanent records are generally discoverable online during any routine background check. Getting a record "sealed" means that the criminal record becomes invisible, and it will no longer be returned during a background check.
In Colorado, both misdemeanor and felony convictions may be eligible to be sealed. A waiting period of 10 years is generally required before you can petition to seal the record, except in some extenuating circumstances.
Difference between sealing and...

When a friend or family member is in jail, the thought of visiting can seem daunting and nerve-wracking. This post addresses some important information to know in advance that will make your visit a less stressful experience.
Types of visits
A visit with an inmate can happen in several different ways. Depending on the jail and the specific situation, you may be able to visit with the person through video, similar to a Skype or FaceTime call. You could also have a non-contact or telephone visit, meaning that you and the person you’re visiting are separated by a glass partition and each party...

If you're faced with any kind of criminal charge, whether minor or serious, it's a good idea to seek legal advice. As a first step in any legal situation, a consultation with an attorney can help you understand the charges against you. Your attorney can explain the charges, any possibilities for a plea bargain, and what your next steps should be. From there, you can determine whether you need a criminal defense attorney to represent you in court.
A criminal defense attorney represents people charged with criminal conduct or those who have had a lawsuit filed against them. The majority of...

The bail system is a centuries-old practice that was established to allow an arrested person to be released from jail until his or her trial began. This post details some of the history of bail and how it has been tailored to the American court system.
To uncover the history of bail in America, you have to go back much further in time. The bail system was developed during the Middle Ages in Anglo-Saxon England as a way to settle disputes peacefully. The accused person had to find another party to serve as a "surety" for them; someone who would agree to pay the settled-upon amount to the...

When a friend or family member gets arrested, your first priority is getting the person out of jail as quickly as possible. This usually involves posting bail - either yourself, if you have the means, or by working with a bail bond agent. A bail bond agent can lessen your financial impact if the bail is set higher than you can afford, which is the most common case. In this post, we’ll discuss why bail is so expensive.
How Bail Is Determined
A judge sets the bail amount and generally adheres to standard practices depending on the crime. For example, a petty and nonviolent offense could have a...

When a person is arrested for a crime, the first priority for their family is getting them released from jail. In the vast majority of cases, this is made possible through a bail agreement. However, there are certain cases in which bail can be denied outright and the person must remain in jail. The following are some of the circumstances that can keep a person locked up.
When the person is a flight risk
A flight risk is a person who could potentially leave the city, state, or country and not return for his or her court appearances. If a defendant has a history of fleeing from the law, a...

When a family member or friend gets arrested, you may be tempted to handle the bail situation yourself. However, there are many advantages to hiring a bail bond agent, including a variety of both financial and legal benefits. A bail bond agent can make your life much easier during this difficult time.
Financial benefits
Save money - When you hire a bail bond agent, you will generally only be responsible for 10% of the bail amount, and the agent posts the rest. If you choose not to use a bail bond service, you're responsible for the entire bail amount.
Avoid liquidating your assets - Paying...

Earlier this month we outlined some things that a private investigator won't do for you. Today, we're going to identify what a private investigator can and will do as the situation dictates. A private investigator has many tools and strategies at his or her disposal to track down information the average person doesn't have access to. They can use these strategies to protect your interests or literally protect you and your family.
Surveillance
From a stationary stake-out to mobile surveillance, private investigators are trained in surveillance methods that help you attain the information you'...

The entertainment world often makes it look like private investigators are above the law; like they can enter any residence, hack into any computer, and track down any kind of personal or private information in a matter of minutes.
Reality is a little bit different. While a licensed private investigator can do many things to help you track down the information you're looking for, there are some things that fall outside the scope of their activity.
Here are some things your private investigator won't do:
Trespass - A private investigator can't enter any residence or property illegally. This...

It’s the phone call you never want to get: a friend or family member has been arrested and taken to jail. While this can be an emotional time, it’s crucial to stay clear-headed while you figure out your first steps. Of course, your priority is getting the individual released from jail as quickly as possible; however, several things must take place before that can happen.
Stay calm and don't divulge information
First, remind both yourself and the arrested individual to stay calm. It’s important to think clearly as you proceed with next steps.
If your loved one is speaking to you by phone,...

The Fourth of July weekend is quickly approaching, bringing with it the standard barbecues, pool parties, fireworks shows, and family gatherings. All these events are tons of fun but can easily lead to overindulging in alcohol. Law enforcement is very aware of this trend; that’s why this weekend is one of the biggest for DUI arrests all year. In Colorado over the past five years, the Fourth of July weekend has brought in several hundred DUI arrests each year. Fortunately, there are steps you can take now to prevent a run-in with the law over the holiday weekend. A DUI can negatively impact...

Useful Links

Missed Court?

We can help. We may be able to do a walk thru bond, no jail time. Call us; we will gladly answer any questions you have whether we bail you out or not.

We promise you the client that we will work diligently to ensure your freedom. We will expedite your release so you can get back home to the people who matter most. Whether we are your bondsman, your defense investigator or both we will fight for you and be on your side during your darkest moment. Our goal is to see that you do not spent one minute longer in jail than necessary.